Why are Florida patients using medical marijuana and is it working? | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 157 Florida medical marijuana patients found anxiety, pain, and stress were the most common reasons for use, with 65% reporting they reduced or stopped at least one prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Medical marijuana patients curious about others' experiences, and clinicians managing patients who may be self-adjusting their medications.

65% reduced or stopped other medications

What the researchers found

Patients most commonly used medical marijuana for anxiety, pain, and stress symptoms. They reported high therapeutic effectiveness. 65% reported either reducing or completely discontinuing at least one prescription or over-the-counter medication after starting medical marijuana.

Why it matters

Florida has one of the largest medical marijuana patient populations in the US (over 440,000 at the time of study). The high rate of medication reduction suggests medical marijuana may be replacing conventional pharmaceuticals for many patients, with implications for healthcare costs and drug interaction considerations.

The numbers in context

157 patients surveyed; 440,000+ registered Florida patients; most common uses: anxiety, pain, stress; 65% reduced or stopped at least one other medication

How the study worked

Cross-sectional online survey of 157 medical marijuana patients enrolled in the Florida medical marijuana program. Assessed demographics, reasons for use, consumption patterns, perceived effectiveness, and medication changes.

What this study cannot tell us

Small self-selected sample from one state. Self-reported effectiveness without objective measures. No control group. Online survey may not represent all patients. Cannot verify medication changes against medical records.

How to read the evidence

Small cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes and no control group.

When this study was published

Published in 2021; Florida's medical marijuana program has continued to grow significantly.

The bigger picture

The finding that two-thirds of patients reduced other medications highlights a pattern seen in other states: patients are using medical marijuana not just as an add-on but as a replacement for conventional treatments. Whether this substitution is clinically appropriate remains an open question.

Questions still open

Which specific medications are patients discontinuing? Are patients making these changes with physician guidance? Do patients who reduce other medications have better or worse health outcomes long-term?

Common questions

What do patients use medical marijuana for most?

In this Florida survey, anxiety, pain, and stress were the most common reasons. Patients reported high therapeutic effectiveness for these conditions.

Do patients stop taking other medications?

65% of surveyed patients reported reducing or completely discontinuing at least one prescription or over-the-counter medication after starting medical marijuana.

Read the original research

Demographics, Perceptions, and Use of Medical Marijuana among Patients in Florida.

Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 4(1), 13-20

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Rosenthal, Martha S; Pipitone, R Nathan. (2021). Demographics, Perceptions, and Use of Medical Marijuana among Patients in Florida.. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 4(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1159/000512342